Kicking competition a big deal for the Chargers

One of the biggest elephants in the room during this years training camp is finding out who the kicker is. After the 2016 season the Chargers cut Josh Lambo. Lambo went on to kick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he made 19 of his 20 kicks. Cutting Lambo felt like a prisoner of the moment decision. In hindsight, it was much worse than that.

In last years training camp a rookie kicker won the battle. YoungHoe Koo made it four games with the Chargers. Making three of his six kicks. Most importantly, all but losing two games out of the gate. They ended up bringing back Nick Novak, who went nine for 13. He missed three of his four kicks over 40 yards, though. In the final two games, the Chargers signed Nick Rose, formerly of the Washington Redskins. He missed two of his three kicks. You honestly can’t make up the ineptitude at the kicker position for the team a year ago.

Yesterday, the kickers got their first taste of live action.

Chargers worked on field goals for the first time during training camp. Caleb Sturgis finished 4 of 6 with 2 misses from inside 40 yards. Roberto Aguayo finished 5 of 6, with a miss from inside 40 yards and a long of 50 yards.

Head Coach Anthony Lynn said Robert Aguayo has been kicking the ball well all off-season. The team cannot afford to be wrong again this year. With the Chiefs fielding a rookie quarterback and a defense that will be much easier to score on than what most fans are used to seeing, the Chargers window is now. Losing one possession games because a kicker can’t hit a chip shot just cannot happen this year. We’ll see how it goes. My money is on Aguayo to bounce back. Looking at his history, there’s only one way to go for him.

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